Ministry of Education
Flexibility is the hallmark of any successful education system and it is an essential component of NEP 2020: Prof. S. Sudarshan, IIT, Bombay
NEP 2020 is an aspirational document which shows the way forward along with Indian knowledge base : Deputy Commissioner, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan
NEP 2020 promotes multidisciplinary approach to encourage students to explore subjects and develop well-rounded skills: Joint Director, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship
Press Conference on the occasion of ‘Three Years of the National Education Policy 2020’ organised in Mumbai
Mumbai : 25 July 2023
“Flexibility is an essential component of NEP 2020. Flexibility is the hallmark of any successful education system and it creates a well grounded individual” said Prof. S. Sudarshan, Deputy Director, IIT, Bombay He was speaking at a press conference organised to celebrate ‘Three Years of the National Education Policy 2020’ at the Press Club, Mumbai. Also present on the occasion were , Prof. Avinash Mahajan, Dean , IIT, Prof. S. Sudarshan, Dy. Director, IIT, Ms. Sona Seth, Deputy Commissioner, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Mumbai Region and Shri. Ketan Patel Joint Director, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.
Elaborating on how NEP has made way for flexibility in higher education, Prof. S. Sudarshan went on to state how core courses and a number of electives which are comparable to the number of core courses at Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay allow flexibility to students. “Students therefore have wide freedom to choose courses across disciplines. Apart from flexibility, new disciplines beyond traditional lines envisaged by the NEP have been encouraged at IIT such as the School of Management, School for Entrepreneurship and others” he stated.
Prof. Avinash Mahajan, Dean  further gave information about the different programs at IIT, Bombay that align with various provisions of the NEP 2020. They are as follows:
- A credit based system for both core and elective courses.
- Electives allowing students to tailor their own curriculum.
- Credit based internships.
- Exchange semesters allowing greater exposure to students.
- Early exit possibility.
- Robust programs with foreign universities to facilitate internationalization.
- Educational Outreach through online and offline mode for skilling
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Ms. Sona Seth, Deputy Commissioner, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Mumbai Region stated, “The NEP is a robust document which keeps abreast with latest pedagogy. It is an aspirational document which shows us the way forward without leaving behind the traditional Indian knowledge base. Being child centric it brings out the unique capabilities of every child. The effort of Kendriya Vidyalayas is to create a schooling system that nurtures critical and creative thinking.”
Ms. Seth also elaborated on the various initiatives undertaken by the Kendriya Vidyalayas on the backdrop of the NEP 2020. They are as follows :
- In alignment with the recommendation of NEP – 2020, the age of admission in Class I was revised to 6+ years from the academic year 2022 – 23 in all Kendriya Vidyalayas.
- Tracking of the progress of students of Classes I, II and III in terms of the attainment of Lakshyas under the NIPUN Initiative is being monitored by recording the same through a web-application linked to the PIMS.
- Introduction of Balvatika as outlined in NEP 2020, in 49 KVs having permanent building on pilot basis in the session 2022-23 and 5477 Children admitted in all the three classes of Balvatika
- Vidya Pravesh - NCERT has developed a 3 Months Play Based ‘School Preparation Module’ for grade I named ‘Vidya Pravesh’ which is being implemented in all the KVs across the country from the academic year 2021-22
- National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage  - Launched on 20th October, 2022, is the first ever integrated Curriculum Framework for children between ages 3-8 in India which is followed by KVs.
- Introduction of vocational and skill straining class VIII onwards.
- Making Parent as a Stakeholder
- Training to Teachers through NISHTHA program.
Apart from this KVs have also become active participants in various schemes and projects such as Vidyanjali, PM e-VIDYA, Atal Innovation Mission  and others.
Learn more here -
Speaking about the aims and achievements of the Ministry of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship, in the context of the NEP 2020, Shri. Ketan Patel Joint Director, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship said, “The main intension of the Ministry of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship is to develop a skilled manpower not only for our own country but to the whole world. NEP recognizes the importance of holistic development to foster the cognitive, socio-emotional, and physical skills of students. It promotes a multidisciplinary approach that encourages students to explore various subjects and develop well-rounded skill sets.”
He further elaborated on some of the various aspects under NEP, 2020 focusing on skill development, which are -
a. Integration of vocational education with general education
b. Convergence and integration of skills across disciplines/sectors
c. Technology-enabled learning
d. Entrepreneurship and life skills
e. Teacher training and professional development
f. Experiential learning through internship and apprenticeship
g. Continuous evaluation
h. Fostering global competence in skill development
i. Inclusive and sustainable skills
j. Skilling in regional languages
k. Furthermore, it lays the foundation for a Credit Framework, facilitating mobility between
general and vocational education, creating a seamless educational journey for students.
He concluded by emphasizing that the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship remains committed to its vision of creating a skilled and enterprising India. These achievements underscore the ministry's unwavering dedication to empowering the youth with the tools they need to succeed in an ever-changing world. Through innovative initiatives, strategic partnerships, and inclusive policies, MSDE is shaping the future of India's workforce and driving economic growth.
Learn more here –
A series of Press Conferences are taking place across the nation as a prelude to the third Anniversary of the National Education Policy 2020 on 29th July 2023. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the second Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam which is coinciding with the 3rd anniversary of National Education Policy 2020, on 29th July 2023 at ITPO, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The two-day event is being organised by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. The Prime Minister will be launching various initiatives on the occasion.
About Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam 
India aims to become a 5 trillion economy in the period of Amrit Kaal, all sectors of the economy have to be bolstered and strengthened with knowledge-oriented leadership and a skilled workforce. NEP 2020 paves the way for developing and grooming our youth for such a responsibility, preparing them for emerging job roles of the future. The policy emphasizes developing the foundational and higher cognitive capacities of each individual such as critical thinking and problem solving. Therefore, there is a need for the leadership of academia, policy experts, and industry experts to come together for brainstorming and devising implementation strategy. The event will include sixteen sessions spread over 2 days from 29th to 30th July, discussions will be held on Access to Quality Education and Governance, Equitable and Inclusive Education, Issues of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Group , National Institute Ranking Framework , Indian knowledge System, Creating Synergy between education and Skilling Future of Work, Internationalisation of Education, among others.
The sessions will be attended by around 3000 participants which will include, Principal Secretaries of Education / Skill Department of States / UTs, Directors of IITs, NITs, IIITs, IISERs, IISC, Vice-chancellors of Central, State and Private Universities, Heads of other HEIs, faculties, Principals / Teachers / Students of Schools, ITIs, Heads / representatives of Regulatory Bodies like NCERT, CBSE, UGC, AICTE, NCTE, NCVET, SSCs, NSDC, Heads / representatives of CII, FICCI, NASSCOM, ASSHOCHAM etc.
Another very attractive element of the celebrations is a multimedia exhibition showcasing the best initiatives from the world of school and higher education and the skill ecosystem. Two hundred multimedia stalls will be set up by institutions and organisation under education and skill landscape, industry, and key stakeholders. Over 2 lakh attendees would be visiting the exhibition over the two days, including students, youth volunteers and participants of Yuva Sangam.
The two-days programme will end with valedictory session. The event will also be attended by Union Minister for Education and, Ministers of State for Education, along with Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, K. Sanjay Murthy, Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, heads of the Autonomous Bodies, and officials of the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
The Samagam will provide a platform for experts of schools, higher educational institutions, and skilling institutions to discuss, deliberate and share insights, strategies, success stories and best practices in implementing the NEP 2020.